Just as Shohei Ohtani's former translator, Matt Bower, was released early from prison the same week, the U.S. Congress drafted the first bipartisan bill in over 15 years aimed at funding gambling addiction. Bower, convicted of illegal gambling, money laundering, and tax evasion, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and was released this week from a California prison to a halfway house. Meanwhile, Indiana Representative Erin Hutchins proposed the "POINTS Act" which plans to allocate a portion of the federal sports betting excise tax to addiction treatment, expected to generate $100 million annually. Simply put, a gambler gets out of jail, and a law comes in.
The Bower Case: From Top Bookmaker to Millions in Debt
Bower became known for accepting bets from Shohei Ohtani's former translator Kazuhiro Mizuhara, who embezzled at least $16 million from Ohtani's account to pay off gambling debts and is serving a 57-month sentence. Bower himself is a severe gambler, claiming his largest bet was $4 million on the 2024 Super Bowl, and over $50,000 per hand in baccarat. He lost $6.6 million over the years at Resorts World Casino, which was fined $10.5 million by Nevada for inadequate anti-money laundering measures. Bower has been blacklisted by the Nevada gaming industry and is banned from gambling for three years after his release.
Bill Highlights: $100 Million Specifically for Addiction Treatment
Representative Hutchins' "POINTS Act" does not introduce new taxes but reallocates existing federal sports betting excise taxes specifically for gambling addiction services. Funds can be used for workforce training, prevention campaigns, 24/7 helpline, and specialized treatment programs. Priority services for disproportionately affected groups, including men, youth, Native Americans, military personnel, and veterans. The bill has received support from the Problem Gambling Committee and mental health organizations and will be submitted to the committee for review. Want to keep up with the latest developments in U.S. federal gambling policies? PASA's official website keeps track.
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